Ukraine, Russia react to controversial US minerals sharing deal + Trump administration notifies Congress of proposal to sell Ukraine $50m or more of ‘defense articles’
The draft published by lawmakers does not include any explicit U.S. security guarantees — long one of Kyiv’s primary demands. However, the agreement “guarantees new deliveries of American weapons, including air defense systems — their cost will be credited to a joint fund,” according to Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Ukraine controls more than 100 major deposits of critical minerals, according to a study by the Kyiv School of Economics, along with modest oil and natural gas reserves.
Titanium,used in construction, airplanes, orthopedic implants and as an additive in paint and cosmetics, including sunscreen, among many other things. Titanium mines in central Ukraine account for about 6 percent of global production, according to Ukrainian media.
Uranium is used in nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons. Ukraine has Europe’s largest reserves.
Oil and natural gas fields dot several regions of Ukraine, and surveys conducted before the war found offshore natural gas reserves.
Lithium, a crucial element in batteries, including those in electric vehicles and in other industrial products, including some medications. Ukraine has a third of Europe’s total reserves, although some sites are in war-contested areas. Before the war with Russia, Ukrainian officials suggested to Elon Musk that he invest in Ukrainian lithium mines.
Rare earths, a group of more than a dozen metals, much less abundant than titanium or lithium, that are used in many high-tech sectors, including green energy, electronics and aerospace. Ukraine has substantial reserves that are mostly untapped, and it is unclear how expensive they would be to extract.
Manganese, used for steel smelting.
Zirconium,used in the ceramics industry, nuclear fuel rods and artificial diamonds.
Graphite, used in steel manufacturing and electric motors. Ukraine is one of the world’s leading producers.
The notification, recorded as communication EC-859, is a memo from the Senior Bureau Official, Legislative Affairs, Department of State, to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
Under the Arms Export Control Act, the document informs lawmakers of a proposed license to export “defense articles, including technical data, and defense services to Ukraine in the amount of $50 million or more.”
EC-859. A communication from the Senior Bureau Official, Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, pursuant to section 36(c) of the Arms Export Control Act, the certification of a proposed license for the export of defense articles, including technical data, and defense services to Ukraine in the amount of $50,000,000 or more (Transmittal No. DDTC 25-027) received in the Office of the President pro tempore; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
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